Mourinho dismisses concerns over Rashford’s lack of game-time ahead of World Cup

Southgate is reported to have grown concerned about Rashford’s lack of starts for United.

Mourinho dismisses concerns over Rashford’s lack of game-time ahead of World Cup

BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Jose Mourinho has dismissed concerns over Marcus Rashford’s lack of game-time as the World Cup approaches, putting the ball in Gareth Southgate’s court by saying the forward will be selected if the England manager trusts him.

Jose Mourinho has dismissed concerns over Marcus Rashford’s lack of game-time as the World Cup approaches, putting the ball in Gareth Southgate’s court by saying the forward will be selected if the England manager trusts him.

It is hard to believe it has only been two years since the Manchester United academy graduate burst onto the scene, following up a debut brace against FC Midtjylland with thrilling displays that saw the teenager fast-tracked into Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad.

But the fact of the matter is that Rashford has only started two matches in 2018 ahead of Monday’s trip to Crystal Palace, leading to concerns his development could be stunted.

“At his age, what he’s doing is more than enough and the experience he’s getting at every level is more than enough for us to be happy with what we think is going to be his future,” Mourinho said. “It’s as simple as that.

“But because he had such an impact at the beginning, probably people expect him to play even more than he does and score even more than he does and perform even more than what he does but it is not so simple.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho

“What I see makes me really happy, to see the same boy.

“When you ask me about (Scott) McTominay, I spoke about McTominay as a boy before he was a player and Marcus is the same.

“What will keep them in the right direction, what will make them have that stability to improve is what they are as boys. And Marcus is a fantastic boy, also very grounded.

“For sure, we love him, and we believe in him, and he’s going to have the chances.”